Over 600 SigEps and guests gathered in Knoxville on April 11-13 as Tennessee Alpha held its Centennial Celebration.

The celebration started with a Hall of Fame Dinner, hosted by Andy Stallings, ’66, and Jim Ritts, ’66, and raised over $8,000 for the Scholarship Foundation. During the busy weekend, the board of directors approved scholarships totaling $43,000 for the active chapter as well as $5,000 to support the Balanced Man Scholarship Program.

Friday morning, 15 teams of SigEp golfers organized by Blake Dorsett, ’07, played at Egwani Farms, and the tournament raised an additional $1,000 for the Scholarship Foundation. On Friday afternoon, over 80 alumni were present for the Ritual as the chapter initiated Col. (Ret) Richard Burris as a Renaissance brother.

On Saturday morning, over 170 SigEps and guests enjoyed a brunch organized by Mark Sparkman, ’92. Brotherhood was the order for the day as the group renewed friendships and reminisced about old times.

For the signature event, over 520 SigEps and guests gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center for a formal reception and dinner. Special guests included VIPs from the university, Headquarters staff, past regional directors, brothers from other chapters, Past Grand President Steve Shanklin, Murray State ’70, and Grand President Bert Harris, Florida ’74.

Kelly Williams, ’92, served as emcee, Gordon Goodgame, ’55, gave the invocation, and Bill Reed, ’59, led the singing of the Anthem. The program included a video highlighting the first 100 years; a presentation of a special painting of our first initiate, Jimmy Meaders, 1913, by Brother Bill Ewing, ’69; and the presentation of a certificate of appreciation by Chapter President Wes Quarles, ’14, to the Georgia Tech Chapter for its role in Tennessee Alpha’s founding in 1913.

Harris presented the chapter with a proclamation by the National Board of Directors as well as a personal gift of a large gavel commemorating the centennial. After the program, SigEps and guests danced late into the evening to cap off a fitting tribute to Tennessee Alpha’s 100th anniversary.